“Won’t happen.”
“You walked Shara out.” Her arms went around his neck and she hugged him tight. “I wouldn’t want to be walked out.”
Kam groaned. “It’s not at all the same thing.” Shara had never been in his life. Mostly, she’d been a hookup for sex—which had worked for both of them. She knew his family only because they all lived in the same area. Everyone kneweveryone else in Hoker. That was the curse—and often the blessing—of a small town.
Glory pushed at him. “I need that shower now.”
He didn’t want the night to end like this, but she was already scrambling away.
Kam flopped back, one arm over his eyes. Not like he’d be able to see anything, anyway. “I’ll shower after you and then we’ll get some sleep.”
“Okay.” When the light flashed on, it startled him enough that he came up on one arm.
Glory stood in the bathroom doorway, her shirt tugged low, her hair a little wild, her eye makeup leaving dark smudges.
And she stared at him. “Thank you for letting me enjoy you tonight.”
A cocky grin came despite his effort to stave it off. “Thank you for enjoying me.” That sounded goofy enough that he laughed.
She grinned, too, then backed two steps into the bathroom and shut the door.
“Only with you, Glory,” he whispered. In his heart, he knew that was true.
Now that he’d been with her like this, no other woman would do.
Three days later, Mike had a peon on his payroll. It was easy to spot the kid Shara had described. Kirby—Mike didn’t remember his last name—looked to be sixteen or seventeen, lanky, with the weight of the world on his skinny shoulders. Oh, boo-hoo. Mike half rolled his eyes in a distinct lack of pity. Whatever trouble this kid had, he’d probably brought it on himself.
As Mike had promised—anonymously over an untraceablephone—the kid found the hundred dollars taped to the bottom of the bench in the park.
Kirby stared at the money with undiluted greed, even rubbing his mouth a few times and then glancing guiltily around him, as if it were stolen cash.
Mike was far enough away that Kirby wouldn’t notice him, but with the binoculars, he could see the kid just fine. After pocketing the money, Kirby looked around again, then retrieved the note that had been taped next to the money.
Half smiling, Mike saw the apprehension grow as the kid read. “Do it,” Mike said quietly. “Do it, and there will be more.”
Kirby didn’t put the money back. No, he just firmed his mouth, shoved the note in his pocket, too, then headed to a junker car and left the park.
If he followed through, if he did as he was told, Mike would give him the rest of the promised money, in a new location, of course. And he’d give him new instructions. Soon, very soon, Glory would be back where she belonged: with him. Once he had her, he’d make certain she understood the futility of resisting.
Unlike Jenn, he and Glory were meant to be. She belonged to him.
Willingly... or otherwise.
9
Kam had barely finished a single cup of coffee when the call came in. As was their new pattern, he’d quickly showered and then started the coffee. Glory was still in the shower. While he waited for her to finish, he rushed through dressing.
She was just stepping out of the room when he’d lifted his hand to knock.
Seeing him there, his fist raised, she backpedaled on a laugh. “You startled me.”
Drawing her out, Kam put a quick kiss to her mouth, using care since he hadn’t taken the time to shave. “Sorry, but I have to head out. There was a fire at the shop.” He headed for the front door where he’d left his shoes.
“What shop?” she asked, hustling to keep up with him.
“The machine shop where I work.”
“What happened? How bad is it?”